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Analysis Of I Am Offering This Poem By Jimmy Santiago Baca

Decent Essays

In Jimmy Santiago Baca’s composition, “I Am Offering this Poem,” he talks about the power of sharing love through poetry. Baca compares his poem to the necessities of life such as food, clothing, and shelter. For that reason, this is why Baca explains to his beloved the value behind the poem. “The speaker not only talks about love, but he also talks about writing and the relationship between love and writing. Love and poetry, according to him, are like two peas in a pod. Poetry is love, and love is… well, poetry” (Shmoop Editorial Team). In essence, Baca’s poem is a reminder that life is more than just materialism and the simplest form of gestures, such as writing poetry, can make a difference towards a loved one. Additionally, this poem is a reminder that the obstacles in life are not as significant because love outweighs the negative. Even though poetry does not pay the bills, it instills a …show more content…

For example, “Keep it like a warm coat when winter comes to cover you, or like a pair of thick socks the cold cannot bite through” (Baca 3-6). Baca uses clothing imagery to explain that poetry provides warmth and shelter towards a reader. In essence, poetry provides shelter that can protect a beloved from the outside cold, harsh environment. Metaphorically, Baca uses another imagery that mentions how poetry is a navigation through the obstacles in life that his beloved may encounter. Baca expresses, “Keep it, treasure this as you would if you were lost, needing direction, in the wilderness life becomes when mature” (14-16). When his beloved becomes lost in a world full of hardships, Baca refers to this poem as a spiritual guidance to help them find the right path to their destination. In addition, if Baca and his beloved ever crossed paths, he will provide her directions. Hence, the poem serves as a map to guide the reader a sense of comfort and

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